Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

Trudy Rankin

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

  1. 11月6日

    How to Make Your Business Visible Online (Without Being Everywhere) with Tracy Beavers

    “It feels like we’re standing on the side of the interstate naked, holding a sign that says ‘Look at me!’”That’s how visibility expert Tracy Beavers describes what it’s like to show up online when you’re building a business. If that sounds uncomfortably familiar, this episode is a must-listen. Tracy breaks down how to grow your audience and email list authentically—without the ick. Tracy Beavers is a visibility and list-building strategist with over 25 years in corporate sales and marketing. She helps entrepreneurs cut through overwhelm and fear so they can grow an online business that actually supports their life, not the other way around. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Why being everywhere online is a fast track to burnout—and what to do instead How Tracy used podcast management to help her son start his own freelance gig Practical visibility tactics that don’t require dancing on TikTok How to repurpose a single piece of content into an entire week’s worth of posts The importance of building your email list—and why social media alone won’t cut it Ways to start DM conversations that aren’t spammy, salesy, or awkward Why vanity metrics don’t equal sales—and how to track what actually matters The power of treating your business like a real CEO—even before it’s profitable Ready to stop hiding and start growing? Tune in now and discover how to show up consistently, build trust, and grow your email list the smart way. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter RESOURCES MENTIONED Tracy’s free guide: Social Media Made Easy – https://tracybeavers.com/social Free guide: DM Conversations That Feel Good – https://tracybeavers.com/dm Tracy’s podcast: Create Online Business Success - https://www.tracybeavers.com/podcast Her Facebook Group: Be a Confident Entrepreneur - https://www.facebook.com/groups/beaconfidententrepreneur  Descript (affiliate link) – Audio/video editing software Tracy and her son use for podcast production. CapCut – Easy-to-learn video editing app used for social media content. Canva (affiliate link) – Graphic design tool for creating social posts, visuals, and more. YouTube – Used as a free learning resource for Descript, CapCut, and Canva tutorials. Facebook – Tracy’s main platform for visibility and client attraction. Instagram – Secondary platform, auto-posted via Facebook Business Page integration. LinkedIn – Recommended for B2B or corporate-facing entrepreneurs. TikTok – Mentioned as optional, but not required; Tracy replaced it with automation tools. Opus Clip – AI tool for repurposing long-form videos into short-form clips for Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc. Buzzsprout – Podcast hosting platform Tracy’s son uses to manage and publish her episodes. Metricool (affiliate link) – Social media scheduling tool that posts to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest. Affiliate Disclaimer: If you click on links on this page and then make a purchase, I may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you).  I am a proud affiliate of these resources because I use them in my own life and business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    46 分鐘
  2. 10月22日

    How to Legally Protect Your Business Without Hiring a Lawyer with Shatrasha Butler

    "Sometimes it’s not about legal advice—it’s about understanding the process. And that’s something you can learn without going to law school." – Shatrasha Butler Shatrasha Butler didn’t just go to law school—she’s on a mission to make legal knowledge actually useful for small business owners. In this episode, we unpack the legal must-knows for getting your business off the ground without drowning in jargon or draining your bank account. Shatrasha Butler is a licensed attorney with over a decade of experience spanning government counsel, private firm litigation, and corporate contract law. She’s the founder of Label Me Legal, where she empowers solopreneurs to protect and grow their businesses with confidence—no expensive retainers required. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT The key differences between a lawyer and an attorney—and why that matters Why “start simple” is often the best legal advice for new business owners What you really need before trademarking your brand How to use free resources (like your country’s tax office) to register your business The low-cost legal protections you can DIY with AI (and when not to) Why a basic loan agreement can protect you—even if you’re just moving money between personal and business accounts Which contracts matter early on—and where to find affordable templates How to use the Madrid Protocol if you want international trademark protection Listen in for practical, empowering advice that will help you protect your business and move forward with confidence. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business 👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED IRS.gov (for EIN in the U.S.) U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): https://www.uspto.gov Madrid Protocol info via USPTO: Madrid System Label Me Legal: https://labelmelegal.com  My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    42 分鐘
  3. 9月30日

    Can You Cold Pitch the New York Times with Zero Experience? Gloria Chou Tells You How

    "Sometimes being an outsider is actually your best kept secret." Gloria Chou knows a thing or two about being an outsider—and turning that into a superpower. In this episode, she shares how she went from cold-calling journalists with no connections to getting clients featured in major outlets like Forbes and Vogue. If the idea of PR feels overwhelming or off-limits, you’ll want to listen to this. AUTHORITY Gloria Chou is a former U.S. diplomat who transitioned into the world of PR without any agency experience—and built a thriving business doing just that. She’s helped thousands of underrepresented founders get media coverage by teaching them to cold pitch with confidence, authenticity, and purpose. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT Why you don’t need a big following or fat budget to land media features The surprising difference between PR and marketing (and why PR might suit you better) Gloria’s sweaty-palmed journey into cold pitching and how she cracked the code The mindset shift needed to show up and share your story Why authority alone isn’t enough—you need psychological resonance The power of niching down and getting specific in your messaging How to create pitches that are timely, relevant, and irresistible to journalists Gloria’s thoughts on building inclusive communities and leading with values CALL TO ACTION Tune in and get ready to rethink your approach to visibility. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED Gloria’s free PR masterclass: gloriachoupr.com/masterclass DM “Trudy” to @gloriachoupr on Instagram for a bonus PR pitching freebie My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    26 分鐘
  4. 9月16日

    From Farm Boy to Founder: How Matthieu Mehuys Built a Purpose-Driven Gardening Business with Global Reach

    “If you look deep into nature, you'll find the blueprint for a thriving business.” That’s the philosophy Matthieu Mehuys has cultivated—literally—from the soil up. From his beginnings on a Belgian family farm to founding a globally scalable regenerative design business, Matthieu shares how he turned a health crisis and a backpacking breakdown into a sustainable business that not only heals the planet, but educates and empowers others to do the same. Matthieu is an award-winning landscape architect and founder of Polonia Landscape Architect. Through his masterclasses, AI-supported tools, and best-selling book The 12 Universal Laws of Nature, he’s revolutionizing how people think about land, food, and freedom—bringing sustainable garden design out of elite hands and into everyday backyards. We Also Talked About: Why 95% of beginner gardeners give up—and how he solves it What business owners can learn from a weed-infested garden How a single client request led to a scalable, global model The reason most landscape services are designed to keep you dependent Why the native vs. invasive plants debate is more complex than you think The three-step framework for starting a regenerative garden anywhere How regenerative farming could reverse climate change in 7 years Turning crisis into clarity: what dengue fever taught him about entrepreneurship The surprising business power of understanding ecosystems How to build a profitable business that doesn’t compromise your values RESOURCES MENTIONED Matthieu's Book:  The 12 Universal Laws of Nature Matthieu’s Regenerative Design Podcast Apple Spotify Project Kamp (YouTube channel) - https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectKamp Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 分鐘
  5. 9月2日

    How to Turn Pain Points Into Profitable Products Without Coding with Dan Hafner

    Dan Hafner got the grandaddy of all sticker shocks when he saw the quote to develop an app. That moment of sticker shock was all it took for him to go from app dreamer to no-code doer. In this episode, we explore how Dan turned a DIY project into a successful business—and how you can use no-code tools and AI agents to do the same. Dan Hafner is a no-code expert, app agency founder, and host of the Tech Bytes podcast. With a background in software testing and a passion for solving problems through automation, Dan helps entrepreneurs turn ideas into functional, money-making apps—without hiring developers. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT How Dan transitioned from software tester to no-code entrepreneur Why learning to code didn’t work—and what he did instead The 3-step framework Dan uses to bring ideas to life How AI agents and ChatGPT Operators are changing the game Why user experience (UX) still makes or breaks your tech How to use AI-powered tools as lead magnets or sales closers The mindset shift needed to build simple but powerful tools Why “done is better than perfect” when building MVPs Timeframes: what you can build in 30 minutes vs. 90 days The rare but valuable skill of digital architecture (and how to develop it) Tune in to hear Dan’s insights and real-world examples of no-code success. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: 👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter RESOURCES MENTIONED Dan's site: DapperNoCode.com Tech Bytes Podcast:  https://dappernocode.com/podcast Miro:  mind mapping tool (affiliate link) Lucidchart:  https://www.lucidchart.com/pages No-code Tools:  Zapier, Make, Bubble, Adalo, Flutterflow My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: 👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 分鐘
  6. 8月19日

    Why Customer Support Is Everyone’s Job with Brian Childress

    “Everyone—from the engineer to the CEO—should take part in supporting customers. It changes how we build everything.” That insight from fractional CTO Brian Childress isn’t just memorable—it’s a blueprint for building better tech businesses. In this episode, Brian shares how embedding customer support into every role improves product development, team alignment, and long-term growth. Whether you're a SaaS founder, solopreneur, or future CTO, this episode is full of sharp, actionable advice. Brian Childress is a seasoned software architect and fractional Chief Technology Officer. With deep experience leading software engineering teams and scaling tech infrastructure, Brian helps startups and growth-stage companies make the leap from “just launched” to “ready for real users.” His superpower? Balancing deep tech know-how with customer-first strategy. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT What a fractional CTO does (and how to become one) The hardest part of shifting from employee to business owner How to prepare your SaaS platform for real-world users Why every team member should experience customer support Creating company culture without making it a “project” How AI agents can act like super interns Protecting your intellectual property while using AI tools Why understanding your team’s cultural background improves collaboration Systems and frameworks that keep solo consultancies running smoothly Tune in now for a candid conversation full of practical strategies and lightbulb moments. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 分鐘
  7. 8月5日

    How to Simplify Your Marketing Without Losing Your Mind with James Hipkin

    “Pretty doesn’t mean it’s going to work.” That quote from marketing veteran James Hipkin cuts to the core of a major problem for online business owners: too much noise, too little strategy. With four decades of top-tier marketing experience across four countries, James joins us to unravel the confusion and teach you how to swap chaos for clarity, without falling for the next shiny thing. James Hipkin has been at the helm of multimillion-dollar marketing efforts and now helps small business owners use enterprise-level strategies on a manageable scale. His superpower? Translating big-budget principles into simple, actionable tools for the rest of us. We Also Talked About: Why repelling the wrong customers is just as crucial as attracting the right ones The marketing funnel vs. the sales funnel—and why confusing them kills results The "hub and spoke" model for aligning your website, channels, and content How UTM codes help you stop guessing and start tracking what works Why most business owners are shouting from rooftops no one can hear How to build trust through your marketing (and why it matters more than ever) The truth about buyer’s journeys—and why ignoring them costs you sales “Call to action” vs. “People Like You” pathways—what to say instead RESOURCES MENTIONED VIPchatwithJames.com – Book a free strategy session with James UTM.io – Tool for creating UTM codes (for tracking links effectively) Google Analytics – Used in conjunction with UTM codes for performance tracking See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 分鐘
  8. 7月22日

    The #1 Cash Flow Mistake That Kills Good Businesses with Financial Strategist Chidi Egbujie

    Are you bringing in revenue, but your business still feels like it’s drowning? In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, host Trudy Rankin sits down with accountant and financial strategist Chidi Egbujie to unpack the #1 cash flow mistake that silently sinks good businesses—and how to avoid it. “Every number has a story,” Chidi says.  And he goes on to add that if you’re only talking to your accountant at tax time, you’re missing the plot. Chidi brings years of corporate finance experience.  And now, as founder of Virtual Focus Accountants, he helps small business owners use their financial data not just to survive, but to grow strategically. From fixing your over reliance on your bank balance numbers to designing a business that supports your life (not the other way around), this episode is packed with practical insights for service-based entrepreneurs ready to get out of the weeds. If you’re tired of hustling without clarity, this one’s for you. If your business brings in revenue but still feels like it’s gasping for air, you’re not alone. My newsletter is for founders and business owners who didn’t sign up for 80-hour weeks and client emails at midnight. If that sounds like you, join me for free, here. We Also Talked About: Why most small business owners overlook the real power of financial data How using QuickBooks or Xero properly can change your business trajectory A client turnaround story that started with confusion and ended in clarity (and profits) Why goals based on your personal life vision make better business targets What every business owner should be doing—but most aren’t—when it comes to planning Preparing your business for sale (or scale) and why you should start now Why “knowing your numbers” is more than just bookkeeping—it’s strategic survival The single most misunderstood concept in business finance: cash flowHow to choose the right technology—and avoid drowning in it His thoughts on AI, where it works, and where it’s not quite there yet  RESOURCES MENTIONED QuickBooks:  quickbooks.intuit.com  Xero:  xero.com  Virtual Focus Accountants: https://virtualfocusaccountants.co.uk Connect with Chidi on LinkedIn: Chidi Egbujie Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 分鐘
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簡介

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.